99 w/ trannie problems - engine & D4 light

[ExitVector]

Ok, bear with me as I explain the hell I've been in for the past few months.

I own a 1999 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe. It has 78k currently and has been very routinely maintained. This passed Spring, during the first warmer day of the year (75ish), I was travelling on the highway for a roadtrip. I had been driving for an hour or so into the trip and my girlfriend and I pulled off into a reststop for a break. After about 10 minutes of resting (car off), we get back in, and boot back up onto the highway, 20mph-80mph in the usual 15 or so seconds, no major acceleration, car performed as it always has. After about two minutes of driving at 80mph, cruise control on, radio low, climate set to a cool 70... the dreaded check engine light glows... Out of pure instinct, I look for the first truck area on the side and pull over.

My heart sank immensely, it was the first time I've ever had an error code logged besides the normal forgot to reconnect the O2 sensor after a tune-up (I'm a dolt). Out came the repair manual and the paperclip and I pull the code... the very vague "automatic transaxle malfunction" error. So I pop the hood, check the ATF, good level even with a slight incline to the rear. I clear the code and get back in and started the car. The light came right back on and I said what the hey, and pull off from the side of the road. That's when it happened.

The car would smoothly accelerate through the first gear, and then WAHHHHHHHHHHH-BAMMMM! It would go to shift gears, redline in a neutral state, and then SLAM ROUGHLY into the next gear. I almost hurled, this was my baby and here I am stuck on the pike with a car that was totally screwed. Well, after I slammed through all the gears and was up to speed, I was fine... needless to say we turned around and headed home. The whole time it doing the same when going to shift... redline and then SLAM. I get the car in the driveway, shut it off, and then proceed to hop out and kick everything with no monetary value in sight.

I went inside and relaxed, and then went out that evening to check it out with my brother. We drive down the street and nothing. He clears the code and it stays out. Car shifts almost normal, a very very slight hesitation between gears, but nothing like it did earlier that day. Pulling back in the driveway, that's when I noticed the CLICK. After backing down the driveway, and stopping pretty abruptly, it would sometimes click when putting it into a drive gear, either D4 or D3. My first thought was solenoid.

Well, the car hasn't had that severe of the problem since. The shifting has gone way downhill, every shifting of gears is a slamfest now. The code was finally pulled with a reader and was a "Gear Position Switch Short". I brought it to Honda and to a trannie specialist, both saying it just has to be replaced. Neither could explain the code or the clicking. I'm still stuck on something electrical, and very much-so trying to avoid the $3500 replacement cost. I've noticed that the D4 light comes on for 2 seconds when the car is turned to ON or started.

I've been busy and haven't had much time to try to test the Shift Solenoids or the Gear Position Switch. The last time I tried, I couldn't even get the connector from the switch to the computer apart. But if anyone has any advice or suggestions or ANYTHING, I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to check this out!!!

[HONDA_99]

Call or wright to Honda and complain, i have heard few times when honda either paid for parts (parts are biggest chuck of money to repair it) or ever they gave a new tranny.

BTW, you go here to sign petition, there is group of people trying to make Honda to recall transmissions for accords, tl and cl.

[lorunner]

is it a v-6 because if it is honda has extended the warrenty to 100k take it to the dealer with the lite still on and let them put a trans in it. As for signing a pettition honda has already admitted there is a problem by extending the warrenty so don't waste your time its not gonna do dick.

[HONDA_99]

Originally Posted by lorunner

is it a v-6 because if it is honda has extended the warrenty to 100k take it to the dealer with the lite still on and let them put a trans in it. As for signing a pettition honda has already admitted there is a problem by extending the warrenty so don't waste your time its not gonna do dick.

People started petition because Honda extended warranty ONLY for 2000-2001 models. people with 1998-1999 model have to beg Honda to fix broken tranny or cash out $3500.

[lorunner]

Originally Posted by HONDA_99

People started petition because Honda extended warranty ONLY for 2000-2001 models. people with 1998-1999 model have to beg Honda to fix broken tranny or cash out $3500.

well acording to my honda rep. they extended the warrenty on the ody to 99 and also the v-6 accords, 98 accord trans problems are very few.

[HONDA_99]

look at my signature under gearbox, and 99 in my screen name is year of car.
whatever that rep tells you is just bunch of BS.